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Rising taxes, insurance and maintenance costs are becoming a front-line affordability issue for loan officers, not just a post-closing concern.
The cost of homeownership is drawing renewed attention after HousingWire reported on October 20, 2026, that a 2026 survey found 63.2% of homeowners are stressed by ownership costs as property taxes, homeowners insurance costs and upkeep continue to rise. The HousingWire article, titled “Housing policy ignored the cost of staying in a home,” frames the issue as one that extends beyond the purchase transaction itself.
For mortgage professionals, that matters because affordability does not stop at principal and interest. Borrowers may qualify on a mortgage payment and still feel squeezed later by escrow increases, insurance renewals, repairs and local tax bills — all of which can shape satisfaction, referral opportunities, refinance readiness and long-term borrower retention.